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Integrative Medicine.
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September 2020 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.com |
HandWmagazine
MANAGING CRAVINGS
WITH MINDFULNESS OF THE HEART
Many people are self-soothing and self-medicating for the first time with drugs and alcohol due to the viral pandemic.
“Mindfulness is also translated as heartfulness”
T
he viral pandemic has caused an outbreak of anxiety, depression, loneliness, domestic violence, substance abuse and suicide. Cravings can become unhealthy habits in response to these emotional cues. Many people are self-soothing and self-medicating for the first time with drugs and alcohol. Many others recovering from substance abuse are relapsing. While professional counseling, medication and reducing the stigma of emotional distress are all critical to reversing this trend, there are simple self-care skills that can make a huge difference in this tragedy that affects so many men, women, youth and children. The Heart Center Throughout history, the heart has held a central place in philoso-
phies, religions and other spiritual and contemplative traditions. In Judaism, the heart is the seat of wisdom, emotion and inner intelligence. Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, is known as “the religion of the heart.” The symbol for Sufism is a heart with wings. The Heart Sutra is a foundational recitation in Buddhism that supports the path to joy, wisdom, compassion and freedom from fear and suffering. In Catholicism, the sacred heart represents Christ’s love for all humanity. The “golden rule” (“do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – Matthew 7:12) is the highest ethical principle common to all religions. Namaste, the ancient Hindu greeting, is expressed with palms together at the heart and acknowledges our interconnectedness. In the yoga tradition, the heart center (aka heart chakra) is the seat of
love, compassion, kindness and friendliness. We often keep our hearts closed to protect ourselves emotionally. This limits our ability to experience and share our heart qualities of love, compassion, kindness, friendliness, forgiveness, generosity and gratitude. Connecting with our heart – opening our heart and sharing our heart qualities with others – can be a deeply healing experience and provide a healthy way to self-soothe in response to cravings. Mindful Meditation on the Heart Begin by adopting a comfortable position – sitting, reclining or lying down. The eyes can be open or closed. I recommend closing the eyes at least partially – soft eyes. Honor your decision to simply slow down, noticing the changes
in your body and your mind as you do. Connect to your gratitude for the opportunity to take this time for yourself – for your health – for your heart – and for others. Intention. We often act on autopilot, sometimes feeding a craving without consciously appreciating our underlying emotional needs. Mindful living and insight into your habits can be cultivated by stating your intention for doing what you are doing. So, as you begin meditating on the heart, honor the fact that you are beginning by saying to yourself, “I am beginning mindful meditation on my heart – and I know I am beginning.” Then honor your intention, perhaps saying, “I am practicing this heart meditation to relieve my own suffering and the suffering of those around me.”
